Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential for better sound quality, the Bugani Brief Pro for the lower price. The JBL Partybox Encore Essential ranks #8 of 91 boombox speakers, rated 4.2/5, at $329.95. The Bugani Brief Pro ranks #28, rated 3.8/5, at $99.98, $229.97 cheaper.
The JBL Partybox Encore Essential is the better-sounding pick.
The Bugani Brief Pro is the longer-running choice. Crystal clear and detailed with good separation of instruments and vocals, impressive for a two-way layout of two 4” woofers and two 44mm tweeters on 80W RMS. It is rated for 12 hours of battery against 6 for the JBL Partybox Encore Essential. Watch for: It turns a little harsh and fatiguing at 80% to 100% volume while losing bass, and it doesn’t reach as deep as the Go + Play 3, which reviewers still preferred for its thicker, richer bass.
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Bugani Brief Pro when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential | Bugani Brief Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.95 | $99.98 |
| Ranked | #8 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #28 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Aux Latency | 17ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | - |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/0.5A) | - |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | - |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS | 80W RMS (160W peak) |
| Dimensions | 10.9” x 12.9” x 11.5” (276 x 327 x 293 mm) | - |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters | 2x 4” woofers + 2x 44mm tweeters |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Strap | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Partybox Encore Essential:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox Encore Essential: $329.95 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2, ranked higher, rated 4.3/5.
Pros: JBL Partybox Encore Essential uses 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters. Its 5.9 kg, claimed 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX4 protection, aux input, up to 110dB and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 38Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 38Hz specification.
Full JBL Partybox Encore Essential review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 100W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 17ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.9” x 12.9” x 11.5” (276 x 327 x 293 mm) |
| Drivers | 135mm woofer + 2x 44mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (3 band App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/0.5A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL giving it to us large! The good, The bad, The diabolical! More from alanrossreviews →
- DLX Willington: Called It!🤣 JBL Partybox Encore VS Essential, with binaural sound sample. More from DLXWillington →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Triple Threat 💸 $200 Challenge 🔋 Soundcore Rave Party 2, W-King H10, JBL Partybox Encore Essential More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Klipsch Gig XXL vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential (Pee-Wee) - Indoors, Plugged In🔌 Bluetooth Speakers
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Bugani Brief Pro: $99.98 Amazon eBay
Pros: Crystal clear and detailed with good separation of instruments and vocals, impressive for a two-way layout of two 4” woofers and two 44mm tweeters on 80W RMS. It plays louder than the Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 and, in side by side sound tests, many listeners preferred it to the JBL Xtreme 4 and found it close to the EarFun UBoom X. A claimed 12 hours of battery, Bluetooth 5.3 and stereo pairing, at a low price.
Cons: It turns a little harsh and fatiguing at 80% to 100% volume while losing bass, and it doesn’t reach as deep as the Go + Play 3, which reviewers still preferred for its thicker, richer bass. No published water rating.
Full Bugani Brief Pro review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 80W RMS (160W peak) |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2x 4” woofers + 2x 44mm tweeters |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jagist reviews: Bugani Brief Pro Vs Harmon Kardon Go Plus Play 3!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Dominik Reviews: Bugani Brief Pro vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 - HiFI Sound Comparison! More from Dominik Reviews →
- Dominik Reviews: Bugani Brief Pro vs Earfun UBOOM X - Very similar? - Sound Test
- Dominik Reviews: Bugani Brief Pro vs JBL Xtreme 4 - Not so extreme? - Sound Test
- Dominik Reviews: Bugani Brief Pro vs Soundcore Boom 2 - Soundcore still holds up?
- Dominik Reviews: Teufel BOOMSTER 4 vs Bugani Brief Pro - Cheaper and Better! Sound Test
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